The Nomadic Flâneuse

Reading at Leisure

Zhao Yi (Qing Dynasty)

When people read classics,
they read themselves.
This is like a plaza
where an audience rings the high stage.
The short man stands on the floor,
he stretches his neck and stands on his toes.
But there are people in high towers on balconies
who watch the performance at eye level.
The show is the same
but the impressions are different.
The short man returns from the theater
bragging about having a close look.
The people upstairs
cannot help cracking up.

闲居读书

赵翼 (清代)

后人观古书，每随己境地。
譬如广场中，环看高台戏。
矮人在平地，举头仰而企。
危楼有凭栏，刘祯方平视。
做戏非有殊，看戏乃各异。
矮人看戏归，自谓见仔细。
楼上人闻之，不觉笑喷鼻。